I-40 TN/NC state line,...it was 4:00 am
Posted: 06-13-2004 11:20 PM
Worldwide, truck drivers tell tall tales. We take most with a grain of salt of which some may be transporting that too. Here's mine that I ca'nt explain.
I bought and still own a Scania for transporting the best timber America could grow. In 1989 it was loaded with Illinois veneer White Oak headed to eastern Virginia a 760 mile trip. It was 4:00 am as I pulled into the first rest area out of Tennessee at the North Carolina line. There was one spot left on the end next to a grassey median. Cars on the right,....trucks on the left. I pulled straight in and set the brake on my Swedish truck. One of 600 imported to the USA, and the only one with a "brush guard"-"deer killer" fold down grill guard.
I ate some cakes with milk, and to my amazement I perked up quickly. I noticed a truck comming in with his lights on bright sitting to my left behind me. I said on the radio, " I'm ready to leave now you can have my spot." He said nothing so I reversed moving 80,000 lbs 6-8 feet. I stopped like hitting a wall! I'd hit another truck that was partly blocking the car entrance. I got a sick feeling as I jammed the brake. The damage was done and I had 1.5 million safe miles..
I got my flashlight and wondered if there was a long log hanging over a bit,... I could'nt remember. There was no overhang, AND there was no damage to the truck I'd just slammed! I lit it up,....nothing,....the radiator should have been in the fan,...coollant should be leaking,...it should'nt be running,....it was! The Caterpiller motor had it's familiar sound. It was in perfect shape. I was flabbergasted!
The driver was in the rest area building and never came out while I waited scratching my head. I kept saying to myself, "What do I tell him? I've hit your truck but there's no damage?" To my left a truck left a space open, and I pulled left to park there.
It was breaking dawn as I looked at the white new cabover Freightliner sitting there running. I laid my head down over the wheel to rest,...to wait. It was gone when I woke up 15 minutes later! I think about this everyday! MK
I bought and still own a Scania for transporting the best timber America could grow. In 1989 it was loaded with Illinois veneer White Oak headed to eastern Virginia a 760 mile trip. It was 4:00 am as I pulled into the first rest area out of Tennessee at the North Carolina line. There was one spot left on the end next to a grassey median. Cars on the right,....trucks on the left. I pulled straight in and set the brake on my Swedish truck. One of 600 imported to the USA, and the only one with a "brush guard"-"deer killer" fold down grill guard.
I ate some cakes with milk, and to my amazement I perked up quickly. I noticed a truck comming in with his lights on bright sitting to my left behind me. I said on the radio, " I'm ready to leave now you can have my spot." He said nothing so I reversed moving 80,000 lbs 6-8 feet. I stopped like hitting a wall! I'd hit another truck that was partly blocking the car entrance. I got a sick feeling as I jammed the brake. The damage was done and I had 1.5 million safe miles..
I got my flashlight and wondered if there was a long log hanging over a bit,... I could'nt remember. There was no overhang, AND there was no damage to the truck I'd just slammed! I lit it up,....nothing,....the radiator should have been in the fan,...coollant should be leaking,...it should'nt be running,....it was! The Caterpiller motor had it's familiar sound. It was in perfect shape. I was flabbergasted!
The driver was in the rest area building and never came out while I waited scratching my head. I kept saying to myself, "What do I tell him? I've hit your truck but there's no damage?" To my left a truck left a space open, and I pulled left to park there.
It was breaking dawn as I looked at the white new cabover Freightliner sitting there running. I laid my head down over the wheel to rest,...to wait. It was gone when I woke up 15 minutes later! I think about this everyday! MK